Saturday, June 16, 2018

Just following orders [IMMIGRATION]



        Time and time again we have heard the defense that individuals were just “following orders”. Police, soldiers and citizens alike have professed that phrase in defense of questionable actions. As a general rule when someone is using those words it’s in defense of being accused of committing a questionable, insensitive, heartless or evil act.
        Historically we have the capacity for slaughter and genocide. People of this country, with the approval of government, separated husbands, wives, children and families during the days of slavery. After all, at the time they weren’t really considered human; just animals fulfilling the need for cheap labor. The original inhabitants of what are now called the United States of America were decimated during their conquest. There are estimates that 8 to 9 million men, women and children who were native to what we now call America were slaughtered during the process of conquering them. Many tribes were wiped out completely. Eight to nine million people. By the 1900s there were only approximately a quarter million Indians still living.
        Well here we are again. Now, people of color are being separated from their families as a matter of “policy” from the current administration. Guilty only of crossing the border while brown. (Is anybody bothering to track down white Canadian immigrants, assuming there still are any?)
        This is just a rough guess but probably over a third of the country is in agreement with what is taking place if not outright celebrating. The jury is still out as to whether the children who have been separated from their families are being placed in cages or are just behind wire fencing with security. As if that makes a difference. Does it bother people that we already have internment camps? Are military internment camps being prepared in addition to the civilian ones that we already have? Is this only a temporary solution to the PROBLEM of the invasion of brown people? What is the final solution going to be? It will need to be efficient and cost effective. There will be a need for people willing to the job of—whatever it takes.
        Such people are already here. They marched with torches in the streets of Charlottesville. They will fill any need from their ranks and there will be a ready supply of new recruits. They will come from the ranks of the trolls that leave all the “I’m coming to get you” comments on the internet. They are already emboldened and a Commander in Chief that needs their talents and supports their views with his words and actions.
        Why are immigrants/brown people coming here in the first place? Wanting to work? Wanting a chance for a better life? Are they escaping violence? Are they escaping an oppressive government only to land in the hands of another?  They came here because there are employers with millions of jobs waiting for them. Jobs that employers can’t fill for whatever reason. They came here to fill an existing need. There is a market for their talent. They provide cheap labor for that waiting market. They want freedom. They want a chance for the better life that is being offered.
        Prior to where we live now, we had a Hispanic neighbor who was a contractor. He complained that Mexicans (illegals) were constantly underbidding him because they provided cheap labor. When he had his roof replaced can you guess who he hired to do the work? Did you guess illegals? If you did you would be right. BTW they were hard workers.
        President Trump uses cheap immigrant labor. He sees to it that the particular brown people immigrants from shithole countries that he needs have the proper paperwork to serve in his hotels. Well at least we assume he does. Has ICE ever raided one of his businesses?
        Well, the lady in the harbor provides a standing invitation to people. We’re at least proud of the statue. It would be better if we were proud of and supported the ideals that she represents.  
        Men and women are stopping children at the border. What kind of man or woman takes a child away from their parents? Do they consider themselves to be good people? Are they Christian? Would a Christian take a child from a mother’s arms? Is it in their job description? Could you do it or are you only comfortable with others doing it in your stead?
        I have heard and read the argument that it’s the fault of the parents and that this draconian policy of taking a breast feeding baby from a mother’s arms is to be a deterrent. Just exactly how are they supposed to get the message? Through social media? Word of mouth? They’re desperate enough to be traveling with their children. Do they expect monsters to be waiting for them? This is the stuff that nightmares are made of, oh Christian Nation. It’s immoral. It’s ugly. It’s beneath a civilized people.   
        Despots always have their loyal supporters willing to do what it takes.
        How about you? Are you onboard? Which side are you on?